Cottage Crazy: Paws and Paddles Cottage is decorated for Christma...

Cottage Crazy: Paws and Paddles Cottage is decorated for Christma...: The lovely Mermaids Jan and Denise decorated Paws and Paddles Vacation Cottage for the Christmas holidays. It is ready and waiting for the f...

A correction to an earlier post...our MerMaid Denise was the other half of the dynamic decorating duo...thanks again Jan and Denise!

Cottage Crazy: Paws and Paddles Cottage is decorated for Christma...

Cottage Crazy: Paws and Paddles Cottage is decorated for Christma...: The lovely Mermaids Jan and Denise decorated Paws and Paddles Vacation Cottage for the Christmas holidays. It is ready and waiting for ...

Paws and Paddles Cottage is decorated for Christmas 2011!

The lovely Mermaids Jan and Denise decorated Paws and Paddles Vacation Cottage for the Christmas holidays. It is ready and waiting for the family that will be staying there and enjoying the holidays on Tybee Island. I thought I would share a few pictures. By the way...most of the Mermaid Cottages go all out decorating so if you are visiting check them out...I believe the Mermaids have won the contest before...in fact Jan and her daughter won best cottage last year!

The tree is peaking out the front window so you can sneak a look from outside.

Snoopy is ready for Christmas 2!

The Mermaids filled the tree with lots of pets, boats, and my favorite colors Red & Green!

A Christmas reminder of all of the fun biking on Tybee...we usually park the car and bike everywhere on the island. We only drive if we are ready for some fun in Savannah! We love the option to be beach lazy...but then you can go into the City when you are rested and ready for adventures!

Love the little boat from Tybee Island.  I have been looking for Kayaks and Paddle shaped ornaments but have not found any...need to start now for next year and see if I can't make some for Paws.

Love the little white pooch...will need to start collecting Poodle ones like Hershey for next year!  Many thanks to Jan and her daughter for handling our decorating.  We are staying in Virginia for the holidays. We are happy that our Cottage is filled with Christmas and will be enjoyed during the holidays.
                                                      Merry Christmas to all.

Cottage Crazy: Old Southwest Roanoke Home Tour Christmas 2011

Cottage Crazy: Old Southwest Roanoke Home Tour Christmas 2011: Saturday evening we toured beautifully decorated and lovingly restored turn of the century homes in the old southwest neighborhood in Roanok...

Old Southwest Roanoke Home Tour Christmas 2011

Saturday evening we toured beautifully decorated and lovingly restored turn of the century homes in the old southwest neighborhood in Roanoke, Virginia.  Many thanks to the delightful owners for allowing hundreds of eager folks to tour their homes. The entire neighborhood was decked out for the Christmas holidays and it was a nice way to work on capturing some of the holiday spirit.

The large porches on these homes were wonderfully large and decorated for the holidays. Several had multiple eating and seating areas...just begging you to sit and stay awhile.  Even one of Santa's helpers stopped by...

One of my favorite improvements was the use of this very old window sash used about the kitchen island....so perfect!

Another favorite was a display of candles nestled in a bed of pine cones in the fireplace...with dazzling ornaments dangling above them from the top of the fire box...very different and very pretty. The photo is too dark to appreciate how awesome this looked. The owner mentioned he had seen this done with decorative gravel but liked the pine cones better.

My favorite center piece was a natural one made with lemons, artichokes, and a pineapple!

The best part you can eat it all later!

These old homes have some much character...

Love the Staircases...so great to decorate at Christmas!

This was our favorite house...the woodwork was amazing and had all been covered with white paint what a huge task to undertake but it is now beautiful! 

Favorite Outdoor decorations...I was surprised this came out as well as it did...even prettier in person...take a drive through Old Southwest and enjoy all the lights before the holidays are over.

Merry Christmas to All!

Cottage Crazy: Mountain Christmas in Virginia 2011

Cottage Crazy: Mountain Christmas in Virginia 2011: We will be spending Christmas in Virginia on our Mountain since Paws & Paddles will be rented for the Christmas Holidays. Pictures coming so...

Mountain Christmas in Virginia 2011

We will be spending Christmas in Virginia on our Mountain since Paws & Paddles will be rented for the Christmas Holidays. Pictures coming soon on the decorations that the lovely Mermaids are crafting for us!

The view from our back Deck facing south towards Smith Mountain Lake.

The front entry to our Mountain Cottage...

Love this old metal watering can...has been painted several times...it was a gift from my Dad to my Mom. Dad is gone now and Mom is receiving 24 hour nursing care. Trying to find ways to celebrate the season and include some good memories.

Love the bench after painting it red...the metal thingie is my version of the Road Runner!

The Gate takes you to the side/back deck. The wreath has pretty white lights that help light the way...it get's DARK early here and some light is welcome. 

Love this old milk pail...and it's silver ribbon.

The bowl was a gift from a friend and I love the simple look of the red shiny ornaments.

Friends are the best present...another gift from a special friend.

This slate sign was hand made for me by a dear lady that worked with me many years ago. I think of Martha each year when I get it out at Christmas.  We are just getting started on decorating. We hold a holiday dinner each Christmas Eve. We used to all gather at my Grandmother Hogan's each Christmas Eve for dinner and then we would go on to Mom and Dad's house to open presents. Since Granny passed away everyone comes to our house to keep the tradition going.
                                                         Merry Christmas to ALL!

Cottage Crazy: A Tybee November!

Cottage Crazy: A Tybee November!: We have enjoyed a November Week on Tybee with a side of Savannah! Usually I post lots of pictures and enjoy spending time blogging. I am tak...

A Tybee November!

We have enjoyed a November Week on Tybee with a side of Savannah! Usually I post lots of pictures and enjoy spending time blogging. I am taking lots of mental pictures this week and capturing memories instead of actual photographs. The weather has been perfect. A jacket needed for biking to the lighthouse to watch the sunrise. By late morning it has been warm,sunny and picture perfect for sightseeing, biking, walking and taking Hershey to the Tybee doggie Park.  Most days he has not had any companions but on Sunday he met Riley, a smallish chocolate lab, and he had an amazing time racing around the park. Hershey was so tired he panted all the way back to the cottage...and he was riding in the car!  Riley's mom had completed the Rock and Roll Marathon and was from near New Orleans. She was impressed with Savannah and Tybee and said they would be back next year.  The marathon garned 23,000 runners plus lots of friends and family. Savannah is used to tourists and it took them in stride. We toured the new SCAD art museum, the Jepson, and the Telfair yesterday. We stopped at the cafe in the Jepson to rest and get something to drink...we ended up with a platter of pesto and hummus with fire roasted red peppers surrounded by Grilled Ciabbatta triangles...it was beautifully presented...extremely good. I plan on recreating this dish at home soon. The weather was very warm, the squares were lovely, and we enjoyed sitting by the fountains at the City Market while enjoying some made on site Gelato!  We are getting comfortable knowing where to park and how to navigate around the city on foot which is the best way to see Savannah. I still can't explain it but I truly love the feeling I get when I am in Savannah. It is partly the history, partly the green squares, the live oaks with the moss dripping like frosting on a cake...and there is something about the light that also seems different...what ever it is... it makes me feel wonderful.

We have enjoyed biking everywhere we go on the island. We discovered a special spot to bike to from the cottage with a ringside seat (swing) to watch the sun go down each evening.  It is on the North end of the island and we were treated to views of fishing trawlers heading back in with a gazillion sea gulls and a small pod of dolphins behind them. As a nice finish last night we noticed a full moon over our shoulders as the sun was sinking into the water...and just then a huge army cargo plane flew very low over the dunes behind us and the full moon and the plane with pink fluffy clouds surrounding the view was beautiful. Snap...took that one as a great memory shot!  Ok...now I guess I should admit that my camera is sitting somewhere in the house in Virginia!  In my rush to pack for Tybee somehow it got left behind! 

I hope my word pictures impart a taste of a Tybee November!

From Land to Sea < A Coastal Christmas - Coastal Living

From Land to Sea < A Coastal Christmas - Coastal Living

Cottage Crazy: A few more Tybee favorites...

Cottage Crazy: A few more Tybee favorites...: The Sally Pearce Nature Trail. It is just a few blocks from Paws & Paddles and it takes you out to the Marsh. It is so close by... yet walki...

A few more Tybee favorites...

The Sally Pearce Nature Trail. It is just a few blocks from Paws & Paddles and it takes you out to the Marsh. It is so close by... yet walking in... you quickly feel the wildness and beauty of the marsh and nature. It is publicly accessible and the painted bunting, brown thrashers, woodpeckers, chickadees, warblers, and many types of marsh and shore birds can be seen during the fall and spring.

A view from the the north beach...basically the end of the island...I was able at low tide to ride my bike on the beach to the very end. It was a beautiful day. The sun was very warm but the wind was probably 10 mph which made for perfect biking.

The view from the McQueen rails to trails bike path. We rode towards Savannah...6 mile round trip. We stopped on a foot bridge over the marsh and had a ring side view of the birds and boaters entering and leaving the waterway.  Nice. This is on the way in to Tybee several access points near Fort Pearce.

Mike at the end of the McQueen Trail...the live Oak was decorated in typical Quirky Tybee style!

The view from the foot bridge...water on one side with boats...on the other side the only thing visible was the marsh grass. As the boats entered the marsh it appeared they were running on top of the green marsh grass since you could not see the small stream of water snaking it's way through the marsh. 

So glad the Railroad donated the space for the trail...

A fishing pier along the trail.  The storms have taken their toll. We were racing along and shortly before we approached the large bridge a runner told us there was a wash out along the edge of the bridge. Good thing for us. There was a 2+ foot gap and we would have been seriously injured had we not stopped and carried the bikes over. I left a black flag on a large stick placed in the hole to warn future bikers, walkers, and runners. Just happened to have an old pair of black knee highs...I sometimes use them for hand warmers on the bike...thanks again to that runner for alerting us.

Mike leaning on the bridge with the grassy marsh side behind him...

This shot brought back nice memories of our boating days on Smith Mountain Lake...love that swishing sound the water makes as the bow cuts through the smooth water in the still of the early morning. 

We love the natural wonders of Tybee. When we want a little more excitement...20 minutes or less and you can be parked in the Whittaker underground garage and walk across Bay Street to River Street in Savannah. If you go there be sure to duck in the Bohemian Hotel and take the elevator up to Rocks on the Roof for a great view. Ride down and it takes you to Rocks on the River Restaurant and River Street...no steps or uneven cobblestones to contend with for those of us with walking issues. Savannah has a very artsy and friendly vibe with a diverse and interesting mix of people. The history is amazing and if you go take one or more Trolley tours to learn more. The tours orient you and then the best way to see Savannah is on foot...you can literally walk until you drop...preferably into one of the world class restaurants!

Cottage Crazy: It's Saturday...Oct. 15th...2 beautiful Fall weeks...

Cottage Crazy: It's Saturday...Oct. 15th...2 beautiful Fall weeks...: We have had an awesome time. Spent time with friends Luke and Bobbie, then the boys went home, the girls played. Connie spent a day alone an...

It's Saturday...Oct. 15th...2 beautiful Fall weeks at Tybee

We have had an awesome time. Spent time with friends Luke and Bobbie, then the boys went home, the girls played. Connie spent a day alone and played outside all day on the beach and on her bike. Mike and Hershey came down last Friday and we have had a great week together. Hershey is a gentleman and has been great about understanding when we take off on some adventures in Savannah and on the bikes. He camps out on the day bed and is usually asleep when we come back. He enjoys our morning sunrise walks to the lighthouse. Today was our last sunrise walk for this trip...heading out early tomorrow to get back and ready for work on Monday. It has been a great run...planning on coming back in November. The cottage is booked until we return on November 5th. It is nice to know that we can share our special cottage with others who appreciate Tybee. We love the natural wonders of Tybee. Shelling, the marshes, birds, dolphins, and the wild look of the beach on the far north end and the far south end towards Little Tybee. There were times we were the only people around...for me that is the best. I have enjoyed being still and listening to nature. We have spent almost zero time watching television. Usually I watch the news both morning and evening. I have to admit that I think I am happier not being exposed to so much of the negative chatter. I plan on trying to find silence in our regular routine back on the Mountain.

Early morning walkers...

Saying bye to our Tybee Beach Swing...

Our last morning sunrise...for this trip.

Cottage Crazy: Two fun filled busy days...Oct. 13th and 14th...

Cottage Crazy: Two fun filled busy days...Oct. 13th and 14th...: We had a great day yesterday. A long shelling walk in the morning. We added a ton of auger shells, a few olives and one large whelk to our c...

Two fun filled busy days...Oct. 13th and 14th...

We had a great day yesterday. A long shelling walk in the morning. We added a ton of auger shells, a few olives and one large whelk to our cottage shell collection. With the rough surf comes pretty shells. Then a bike ride in the Savannah Wildlife Refuge...about 25 miles from the cottage...a quick drive. We took the bikes and rode the 4 mile loop around. Lots of ibis, tri-colored herons, egrets, a big alligator and several small to medium snakes which were all polite and stayed to their side of the road. I don't have any pictures of the birds since it takes a huge zoom lens and we were biking. I do have some shots from our beach walk yesterday.

A baby Horseshoe Crab...don't recall seeing one this tiny before. There are hundreds of the adults on the North end of the Beach and it is extremely interesting to watch them digging their way into the sand and then watching how they make it back to the water.

It is a little alarming to look up from shelling and see two large ships that seem to be about to ram each other!

Hershey enjoys all the attention he receives from folks coming down the boardwalk. Even the crustiest and grumpiest always at least smile at him and most stop to talk to him and pet him.

The rocks on the North Beach provide protection for the dunes and the shore birds.

Lots of surf action and sea foam didn't faze them at all.

Loved the sea spray and foam in this one...

I can't get enough of the lighthouse...

Another couple of examples of perspective for  future paintings. The marsh scene is out our side sun porch windows. I was adamant about not putting curtains on these windows since we like to bird watch...look carefully for the egret.

Added the turtle painting to the fence in the back yard...a great place for the Webber grill and since it is fenced it has been a super spot for Hershey to be able to get some exercise and sit outside with us. I am still trying to get him to take an outdoor shower but he is antsy about coming in the shower with the door shut. And I am antsy about not shutting it...although it is totally private.

Mikey and Hershey. Mike mentioned that today we had been married 43 years! Hershey seemed impressed.

The Mermaids are now dancing at Paws & Paddles Cottage on the Sun Porch! Thanks to the Handy Husband.  Big Hug...and a big ladder needed. This porch is the reason we bought the cottage...indoors but feels like outdoors with lots of light...which is so important to me...and lots of green...as Jane would say Happy Colors...Happy Feelings.

This morning the full moon was behind us and the sunrise in front of us...way cool!

Good Morning Sunshine! Off to get ready for another day in one of the most beautiful and friendly cities in America...Savannah...I even like just saying it...Savannah...